Rotating engine and operating connections therefor



Dec. 9, 1924- 1,518,348

w. c. NICHOLSON ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATING CONNECTIONS THEREFOR FiledJuly '7. 19?;9 4 Sheets-Sheet l @n lll WWE. In

' Dec. 9, 1924.

` gif/lil 1,518,348 n W.v C; NICHOLSON QCTATIHGYNGINE AND OPERATINGCONNECTIONS THERE-Fon me@ .my v. 1919 4 sneetswsheaz 2 IMU? 'fa De@ 9,i924.. I y l 1,518,348

l w, c. 'NLQHQLSQN ROTATING ENGINE .um @Emma cormicxos fnmiioa FiledJuly ff. 191%? 4 Shams-Sheet :s

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- f U' VE E\ Dec. 9, 1924 1.518,348

W, C. NICHOLSON ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATNG CONNECTIONS THEREFOR FiledJu-ly '7, 1919 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Patented iBec. 9, i924.

irlhii'ilii) STATES WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON,

OF @AK FARK, ILLINOIS.

ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATING CONNECTIONS THEREFOR.

Application led July 7,

To @ZZ 107mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. NICHOL- soN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of the village of Oak Park, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin a Rotating Engine and Operating Connections Therefor; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference bew ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to thenumerals of reference marked thereon, which Jform a part of thisspecification.

In engines of this type the cylinder is equivalent to one shat't of thegimbal-joint and rotates with the piston. An idle shaft journalled in.fixed bearings to rotate at an angle to the aXis of rotation of thecylinder is equivalent to the other shaft of the gimbal-joint.

An abutment rigidly attached to the cylinder and rotating therewithextends from one wall of the latter to the piston and contacts therewithalong a line parallel to the axis of oscillation of the pistonrelatively to the cylinder.

It the cylinder rotates the chambers formed by the piston on either sideof the abutment alternately increase and decrease in volume owing to thedouble oscillation of the piston first relatively to the cylinder andsecond relatively to the idle shaft. By suitably introducing fluid underpressure on opposiie sides of the abutment alternately rotation of thecylinder is produced.

lit is an object therefore, of my invention to provide means forsupporting the rotating cylinders at both ends.

A further object is to provide means whereby a single valve controls aplurality of cylinders.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a valve in which the useoi reciproeating or oscillating parts are avoided.

Furthermore an object of my invention is to provide means for readilyreversing the engine and at the same time enabling the fluid admissionto be cut off at the desired point when the engine is running in eitherdirection.

It is an object of this invention to provide an engine adapted forgeneral power purposes and because of its exceedingly compactconstruction and the high power eliiciency developed is particularlyadapted for use in the operation of portable power' 1919. Serial No.309,108.

driven devices, such, for example, as have heretofore been operated bycompressed air, in other words, pneumatic tools.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a constructionadapted for high speed and minimum vibration and utilizing the momentumof the entire engine effectively when in operation.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a construction adaptedto develop high power eiiiciency but occupying very small space anddirectly connected with the element to be driven through the medium of acasing which affords the engine frame and likewise encloses the rotativeparts, thus protecting the engine from injury and dirt and affording aprotection from contact with the rotating elements ot the device, and soconstructed as to permit the quick removal of the engine proper andsubstitution of a like engine.

The invention in a preferred form `is shown embodied as apressureoperated portable steam or pneumatic tool of the rotative type, such,for example, as is used :tor drilling, boring and polishing and is morefully hereafter described.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a central longitudinal section partly in elevation of amachine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in section of the tool holderand thrust shatt of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged central section through the connection betweenthe source of fluid pressure and the valve chest.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the enginedetached from its casing or frame.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on the line (3*6 of Figure 1, with the bottom ofthe gear case removed.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the machine.

Figure 9 is a view partly in section with half of a cylinder removed andthe pistons and some of the related parts in elevation'.

Figure 10 is a plan view ot the piston with all oi the parts connectedthereto removed.

Figure 11 is a section on the line HMH of Figure 4, with the pistonremoved.

Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on line 19fl2 olf Figure 9.

Figure 13 is an enlarge: horizontal eentral section of a modified torni.et valve construction embodying` means 'tor reversing and varying thecut-od.

Figure 14; is a section on the line 14e-@14.2.- ot Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a section on the line 15e-15 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a section on the line 1ii5-16 ot Figure 19.

As shown in the drawings:

The engine comprises duplicate rotative globular' or spherical memberstermed cylinders and rigidly connected together by means of a valvemechanisn'i atfording` the inlet and the exhaust means ter eachcylinder. Said engine rotates as a whole on the common axis ot saidcylinders upon suitable axially aligned bea-rings at each end of thedevice, and also in a central liiearing at torded by the valve casing.The tool holder is supported parallel the anis oit rotation ot theengine and in alignment with a threaded thrust bar or shaft wherebythrustingpres sure may be varied on the tool as desired, and a reductiongearing is provided between the` engine or motor and the tool. holder toadord a positive drive. All of the operating parts `et the mechanism awhole are enclosed within the trame casing, which serves to hold theengine and the parts driven thereby in an unvarying relation.

The lframe casing` as shown is preterahhY constructed of cast metal andatords two chambers, one a relatively large longitudi nally disposedchamber to receive the engine through which the thrust shaft extends.,and a lower chamber affording a gear casing. Said casing as shown isconstructed in three parts abutting each other and rigidly se* curedtogether tranversely ot the casing by means of suitable cap screws orotherwise, and comprise a central casing section l, provided near itslower end with a transverse partition Q, to receive the lower end et thelower cylinder ot the engine. Said central section et the casing extendsupwardly to approximately the plane passing through the center of theupper cylinder and there is flanged outwardly as indicated at 8, toreceive the correspondingflange 4, et the upl per :trame casing member5, as shown in Figure 1, into which the upper halt of the upper cylinderot the engine projects.

Secured to afford the lower end ci, the 'framecasing is a peripherallyflanged head, the flanges of Which enga-ge with the down wardly directedflanged edges ot the cen- `tral casing by "means of cap screws, and to-`gether `therewith forms a lower gear chainber. Rigidly securedsubstantially at the axis ot hsaid frame casing in the upper cas lngsection 5, is an inwardly extending stud `atiorded shatti". Means `.torengaging :wid shall in said casing may, et Coin-se, vary with the sizeot the power unit. is shown. the sha t: 7, .is of: a reduced dian'ieterat the point where it passes through the wall ot' said upper casing andis threaded at its outer end to receive a clamping nut in a itanilizzrmanner to draw the shoulder allorded ha said reduction in diameter etthe sha'tt tirmly against the inner wall of said easing scrtion. In asimilar n'innner. a stud shaft is rigidly secured in the cap or ondcashier member G, attording the bottoni oi" the roar case and projectsup ardly to ador-d a lower end bearing tor the engl-ine.

The engine journalied on said .shafts 7 and 8., as shown .in Figures 1and and in the ionstrnetion illustrated in the drawings, in which twopower cylinders ot' spherical torni are shown, carb ot the crl indersdivided transversely in f1 plone passing tliirouogl'i their centers andeach con sists as shown ot. the lower senii-splierieal sections 9 andil.` the eonipleinental upper sections theretor are the crlinderser-tions 10 and 1Q affording the respectiiie pressant(` chambers torsaid power unit. lt is to he noted that Ytor convenience otcoiisti'iuftion. the cylinder sections and 1:5 are duplicato and thecylinder sections 1t) and 11 are also duplicate in all respects. tlaidcylinder sertions ot each cylinder are titted torgther so that thesection subjected to the highest temperature tits within the othersection at the lioint to attoid a joint that is not en dangered byexpansion and the joint is jfurther strengthened by a union ri which'firmly engages a bead er rim on one cylinder section and threaded ontothe other.

The lower end et the lower @vlinder and 'thev upper end of' the uppercylinder are each nrwxided with a tlanne inlenivil with .said vos andnonni' #vlinder 'tivo lower project Y the avais and alord oppositelvil1'-i- 't'e l In. and through which a cuylindrie here opens into cachcylinder. rllhe huh` on the lower cylinder hte into a conipleinentalaperture l in the partition and siitahh paclrinn' shown in Figure l. isprovided at the bearing arti .'flod therehv to prevent wir water o'tfcondensation [hidingy its war into the rear casing in thc` event thatstrain is used.

,loiirnalled on the lower sleeve 111-, provided at its upper end with acylindric collar 15. which lits closely in and rigidly secured to saidlower huh Til. and inteoralhconnected with which is :L .vol-1e hereinater incre 'f-"nlljy1 descrilud with roter ence to the descriilition otthe piston and op eration. Fitted "-.ririn the [lange et the collar isone ci' the members tti, ot a 'id shat tl. is a Sil titl

lll,

lill) ball or roller brewing, as preferred, the other bearingA member1,7, ol: v-.fhich is rigidly secured on the stub shaft 8, which has onits inner end an ol'iliquely directed integral bracket or stationffirycrank shaft 1S, which will be described in connection with the pis tonand its operation). In a similar manner. a yoke bearing' collar 15. isfitted within and rigidly secured to the hub 13, ot the upper cylinderand rigidly secured thereto and therein is a. sleeve 1T, affording' onemember of a ball or roller bearinnf 1,6, the other member of which 1T.is rigidly secured on the inwardly directed end of the stub shaft .7,balls or rollers in cach instance being; interposed between saidmembers. A bracket which acts as a` stationary crank shaiit 18` similarto that betore described is integrally secured thereto.

The cylinders are rigidly connected with Vxach other tl'n'oiurh themedium of internal abutmonts 20 and 20, and a cylindrical valve block21, rigidly uniting' said abutinents. The latter project intotherespective cylinders to near the center thereoig and are ot duplicateconstruction, each having` .inclined side walls arranged approximatelyat right angles with each other and aiiording' an apex slightly concavefor its entire length having` a packing recess therein, in which is asuitable packing' extending4 across the cylinder on a cord approximatingthe diameter oit the cylinder. The a-pices of the respective abutmentsin said cylinders are also directed at a right angle with each other, asshown in Figure 4;. Tliie valve block 21, is axially disposed betweenand rigidly connects said abutments and is ot Va length to extend intoseats complemental with the ends ot said valve block in said abutments,as shown in Figure 5. lit preferred the adjacent abutments, the contain`inn' hall? cylinders and he valve block may be constructed integrally.laid valve block provided with iliour ports 2la and 21h, ar` rangedparallel the axis thereof and regisi tering); with corresiiionding`ports opening' tlirough the sides of said abutments, two of the ports,as shown in F igures 4, 5 and 11, opening` one through each side of eachabiiitinent, through the oppositely inclined walls thereof, said portsincreasing inwardly in transverse area to reduce resistance ot the flowor the pressure fluid, cap screws 19, extending; through the dead endsof said ports in the valve block 21, into the respective abutments, thusaffording' a very rigid connection between the abutinents and in axialalignment with the stub shaft before described. Said abutments areshaped to lit complementally into the side walls ot said inner cylindersections and are rigidly connected therewith.,

The ports :from said valve blocks open theretrom through the peripheryof the and that the inlet blocks as shown in Figure Between the adjacentends ot said cylinders is' a, tionary valve chestcasi ng' partedcentrali through the axis thereof, and the tw tions secured together bycap screw and is provided on the inlet side 24, wu nn inlet pipe 25, andan inlet pressure chamber Q5, and on the opposite side with an e3;-hafust chamber 29, opening therefrom and an exhaust pipe The inner wallsoit the valve casing` for that portion thereof contacting' the valveblock, are of unequal length owing to the fact that the inlet chamber isshorter on the periphery oi the valve block than the exhaust chamber.That is to say, the web oi said valve casing' bea-ring' against theperiphery of the valve block is relatively long' between the positionsoi closing the inlet port and the opening' of said port at exhaustposition to obtain the value ot the steam or pressure expansively. whilethe web between the termination of the exhaust chamber and thebeginningv oi the inlet port is relatively short to permit substantiallyimmediate inlet of pressure at the end of the exhaust. It will be notedowing to the right angular arrangement of the ports and the abutmentsthrough which the ports open into the cylinders, the inlet impulses andexhaust from the respective cylinders will be alternately and insequence, to each cylinder taires place before the cut-oit for theother, thus avoiding possibility oi. dead center'. As shown, a sleeve30, integral with the central frame casing provides an aperture throughwhich the pressure inlet pipe 31, extends, and closely lits and issecured. This, of course. and as shown in F igure 3, registers with theend of the inlet pipe 2V, which is provided at its outer end with aiii-inge or hub 3% fitting' over the inwardly extending end ot the inletpressure pipe 5311 and between which is provided a` relatively largepacking' chamber containing' a packing; which may vary of cours with thecharacter oi the pressure fluid, but conveniently may be a hydraulicpacking, as shown at 38 wherein the pressure fluid acts to press thevalve casing inwardly against the valve block thereby always insuring atight joint with the valve block on the pressure side inasmuch as thepressure in the exhaust side of the valve chamber is 'but slightly aboveatmospheric pressure. lt will be observed that the valve casing' affordsa central lfioatiiie; bearing for the valve blocks whereby the twocylinders are rigidly connected to rotate together, and which cannot beaii'ected by any stresses applied to the inlet pipe 31. which also actsas an operatingi handle.

A piston 34 and 34a, is provided respectively in each ofthe cylindersand mounted to oscillate therein through an arc as shown f) Stiffof thegear, and journalled each upon a stud shaft 62,1'igidly secured to thegear oase cap orl partition. 2, und extending vup- Wardly in the gearcase. lntegrally connected with each of said pinions 62, are gear Wheels68, each of which meshes with a pinion 54, rigidly secured to the hub orsleeve 14, of the loiver cylinder.

F rom the construction described, it will be seen that the tool ispositively driven through the medium 4of said train of gears from theengine, and pressure may be. exerted upon the tool, or the pressure maybe released or reduced by the operation of the thrust shaft Which actssubstantially as a screw jack for the purpose.

ln the reversing construction illustrated in Figures 13 to 16,inclusive, provision is made for reversing the drive of the engine, andvarying the cut-ell' tc suit the requirements of the Work or to stop theengine. For this purpose as shown, the engine is co structed as beforedescribed, with the exception of the throttle and reversing mechanism.For this purpose as shown, the valve casing 65 is provided, of a size toreceive the rotative valve block and a shifting valve segment 73. Saidvalve casing 65, is cylindrical and may be constructed as shown or intivo sections formed as illustrated with reference to the valve casingshown in Figure 5, and is provided With a tubular extension 66, havingan open port on each side thereof, and secured to the casing frame, asshown in Figure 13. Extending into the casing frame, is a cylindricalrotatable throttle valve 67, which lits closely Within the eX- tension66, of the valve casing, and in its inner end is provided with aV-shaped pan tition G8 extending from opposite sides thereof one side ofsaid partition is provided with an aperture or port G9, to afford aninlet port for the valve casing. Said V- shaped partition entendsinwardly and at its inner end 70, bears aga-inst a web a, integral withthe valve casing of a Width slightly greater than one of ther inletports, as indicated at 70a. The end of said throttle valve sleeveextends inwardly to a position to close the port from the sleeveextension G8, of the valve casing, the side thereof adjacent the portinlet 69, through said par tition and on its opposite side beingprovided with a port 71 therethrough, adapted to register With the portin said valve casing, its shown, a lever 72, is eng:-iged on saidthrottle valve outside the casing frame, to rotate the throttle whendesired, approiv imately through 180o, thus reversing the ports toenable said engine to rotate in either direction, or at 90o cutting offthe inlet and stopping the engine.

llithin the valve casing is a shiftable valve cut-off comprising asegment shaped member 73, cored on opposite sides to afford inlet orexhaust chamber, the periphery of said memller being cut away or reducedto permit a partial rotation thereof in the valve casing as shown inFigure 13, an abutment T4, being provided in said valve casing, one oneach side thereof, and affording stops to limit the adjustment of thevalve cut-off 73, to properly proportion the size of the inlet andexhaust chambers for maximum eilt cicncy in Whichever direction therotation of 'the engine may be affected, said member being symmetricaland provided on each side with an extension of equal length to engagesaid abutinents at the proper limit of adjustment, the chambers on eachside of the valve block communicating into the throttle sleeve on eitherside of the partition. As shown also, the valve casing 65, is providedwith a peripheral slot at the rear side thereof, and secured on thevalve cutoff 73, and extending outwardly through said slot is a slottedarm 75, connected with the inner end of the shifting rod 76, thev outerend of which eX- tends through the casing frame, and is provided Withmeans for manual engagement. rlhe abutments 74, may be omitted and theadjustment of the valve cut-olf limited by the length of the slot in thevalve casing as also shown in Figure 13.

rl`he operation is as follows:

Pressure is admitted through the valve casing and valve block andthrough the abutment, then at inlet position with reference to the valveblock, and in which the piston is then inclined to cover the portthrough the abutment receiving the inlet, as for example, the piston inthe lower cylinder shown in Figure 4.

rllhe pressure exerted on said piston acts against the forl 42,extending transversely the shaft of said piston, and which is secured tothe bearing shaft on which the engine is journalled, and rotation isproduced in said cylindern lWhen the lower piston above referred to isat inlet position, the other piston is nearing its cutoff position, butthe pressure therein is still acting eX- pansively, While, of course, onthe opposite side of each of said pistons, the exhaust is taking place,and it will be seen that there is no dead-center position for saidengine, as one or both pistons is always receiving a pressure.effectively from one or the other of its pressure chambers, and suchpressure must continue until the other piston has started its movementfrom its initial pressure position. As the engine rotates, the forks 42,on each piston, which are rotatably secured on the non-rotative bracketsor crank arms 18, also rotate in its bearing the pressure reactingagainst the saine to cause rotation of the engine as the pistonoscillates freely from side to side to its extreme limits on its shaft39, Which holds the piston to its seat on the abutment as pressure isalterna-tethrough the sleeve extension on the 'valve casing, andthefports through the said partition into register with one of the valvechambers which in that adjustment serves as the inlet side. The valvecut-off is 'then adjusted by means oi'f the. rod 7th to altordth'eproper cut-oli. ln this position7 the operation of the engine is asbefore described, the exhaust,

however, passinp` tlnough the exhaust port into theV engine framecasina'. and then escaping` through the exhaust pipe 282 which is shownon the opposite side ot 'the casing from the engine proper and alsoconstitutes an operating handle. lt it be desired to stop the engine,the throttle valve may be rotated by means of the lever 72:. to closeboth the inlet and exhaust ports throuejh the sleeve extensionot thevalve casing7 or the engine may be reversed by rotating said throttle toapproximately 180O 'from its tormer running position, at which time, theinlet port from the throttle valve will comn'iunicate with the port onthe opposite side of the sleeve extension of the valve casing, While theport through said extension .tormerly blocked, is now open in registerwith the exhaust port oi the throttle valve. or in other Words, theopposite adjustment from that illustrated. in Figure 13. Oi: courseWhere `the device is utilized for portable purposes in operating),ltools, a suitable hose pipe connected with the inlet. and it desired,the exhaust pipe also, and will permit the tool to be moved about as theWork requires.

in the construction illustrated, the pinion 64, Which rotates With theengine. drives to the gears 63, both ot which are in mesh therewith andjour-milled in the gear case. an d the pinions rigidly secured on saidgears. mesh with the gear 60. secured on the chuck *16. to rotate thesaine, oivinev to the double Ireared drive thus afforded or doublegeared drive stress on bearings and gear teeth much reduced and Wear andbreakage and repair avoided, said chuck of course7 may be or' anypreferred kind of construction such as commonly used on pneumatic tools,or any other preferred type.

Vf hen the tool is applied to its work, pressure may be exerted by meansof the handles 54:, radially extending from the upper end of the thrustshaft, or the inlet and exhaust connections which serve as handles, topress the tool into its work, or to 'ary the pressure. Conveniently,however. the pressure may he applied to practically any desired extentby means of any of the ivcll known clamping' devices, such as the so-cilled old man heretofore used for such purposes, the upper arm of whichis engaged by the center point on the upper end ot said thrust bar, andthe tool pressed to its work by rotation of ihe thrust bar by means orsaid handles.

It is to be observed that all parte olf the device are readily andquickly accessible owing to the construction oi? the casino .frame andthe simplicity oi construction, which permits quick removal ot theentire engine and installation of another similar engine. in someinstances with larger engines l omit the yoke 38, and secure the endso'l the shalt -ll, in suitable seats in the cylinder Walls passing theends or' the shal't through the piston tiange for that purpose. 'lhenioinentun'i oit the entire mass ot the engine is utilized Ator drivingpurposes, thus enabling high elliciency to be obtained with relativelylight weight, and furthermore that the drive is at all times positiveunder the pressure applied.

It is to be understood that numerous details of construction may bevaried without departing from the principles of this invention, and Itherefore do not purpose limiting the patent to be granteib otherwisethan necessitated by the prior arl'.

l claim as my invention:

l. A device oi the kind desiiribed comprisingl a plurality oli cylindersadapted to rotate about a. common axis a piston rotating,r with eachcylinder and oscillatable therein, and valve mechanisms between adjacentcylinders having portions thereoil connected to said cylinders.

2. A device ot the kind described comprising a pair of cylindersarranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each cylinderrotatingl therewith and oscillatable therein, a valve block between thecylinders and rigidly connected thereto, and a valve member havinglports therein adapt-cd to register with ports in the said block.

3. fr device ot the kind described comprising, a pair ot cylindersarranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each o vlinderrotating therewith and osvillatablc therein, a valve block between thecylinders and rigidly connected thereto. a valve ineinber haring portstherein adapted in regir-ler with ports in the said block, and bearinfrmeans 'for supporting the outer ends ol' the cylinders.

A device oli the kind described comprising,l a rotating); cylinder` apiston rotatingr therewith and oscillatable about a diameter of thecylinder. a member secured to the piston and pivotally mo iable theretoabout :in axis substantially perpendicular to said llll diameter, ashaft secured to said member substantially perpendicularly to said axis,a stationair)v bearing member t'or said shaft adapted to hold the latterobliquely with respect to the axis of rotation of the cylinder, and abearing on said bearing member tor supporting the cylinder at the endadjacent said shaft.

5. l device of the kind described compris'- ing a rotating cylinder,valve gear adjacent one end thereof', a stationary shaft projectingthrough the other end of thecylinder and adapted to support such end, apiston within said cylinder, pivoted connections between the piston andthe cylinder and a rotatable member within the cylinder., and a bearingwithin the cylinder rigidly secured to said shaft for carrying saidrotatable member, the axis of rotation of said member in said bearingbeing obliquely arranged with respect to the axis of rotation ot' thecylinder.

6. A, device of the kind described comprising a rotating cylinder, apiston movable therein, a valve member secured to and rotating with thecylinder having ports therein, a valve casing having inlet and exhaustconnections thereto and ports adapted to register with the first ports,means for reversing the connections between the inlet and exhaustconnections and the ports in the casing, and means for simultaneouslychanging the effective length of the latter ports.

7. A device of the kind described comprising a rotating valve memberhaving ports therein, a second valve member having inlet and exhaustconnections thereto and ports adapted to register with the first ports,means for reversing the connections between the inlet and exhaustconnections and the ports in the second valve member, and means forsimultaneously changing the effective length of the lattez` ports.

8, A device of the kind described comprising a pair of cylindersadapted. to rotate about a common axis, a valve mechanism for connectingthe cylinders, and a piston in each cylinder, said piston beingoscillatable about axes in substantially7 perpendicular planes.

9. A device of the hind described comprising a pair of cylinders adaptedto rotate about a common axis, a valve block therebetween for admitting`fluid to both cylinders, a yieldingly mounted valve casing, and meansfor rigidly supporting the outer ends ot the cylinders.

10. A device of the kind described comprising a pair of cylindersadapted to rotate about a common axis coincident with the centers ot thecylinders, a valve mechanism between the cylinders and an oscillatablepiston in each of said cylinders, said pistons being oscillatable onaxes in perpendicular planes.

11. A device of the kind described comprising a casing, a pair ofcylinders adapted to rotate about a common axis arranged within thecasing, means tor rigidly supporting the outer ends of the cylindersfrom the casing, a valve block between the cylinders for admitting fluidto both cylinders, and a valve casing therefor yieldingly supported bythe casing.

12. A device of the hind described comprising a pair of cylindersadapted to rotate about a conmion axis, a valve block therebetween foradmitting fluid to both cylinders, and a valve casing for' said block,said vali/e block having fluid passages therein of greater cross sectionthan the area of the ports in the valve block.

13. A device or the kind described comprising a rotating cylinder', avalve bloclr rotating therewith adapted to admit fluid into thecylinder, and a valve member for said block, said valve bloot: havingfluid passages therein of greater cross section than the area of' theports in the valve block.

14. A device of the hind described comprising a cylinder, a rotatingvalve block therefor' having ports therein, a valve member having inletand exhaust connections thereto and ports adapted to register with thefirst ports, means for reversing the said connections with the secondports, and means for changing the effective length. of the second portsto allow proper cutoff and unrestricted exhaust in both posi.- tions ofsaid connections.

15. A device of the kind described comprising a cylinder, a rotatingvalve block therefor having ports therein, a valve casing having inletand exhaust connections thereto, a fixed abutment on the casing bearing`against one side of the block and an arcuate member between the oppositeside of the block and the casing adapted to move about the axis of theblock to vary the effective length of the ports formed in the casingbetween the ends of said member and said abutment, means for reversing`the inlet and exhaust connections to the ports, and means for movingsaid arcuate member to allow proper cut-olil and unrestricted exhaust inboth positions of said connections.

16. A device of the kind described com` prising a pair of cylindersarranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each cylinderrotating therewith and oscillatable therein, a valve block between thecylinders and rigidly connected thereto having :tour ports thereinsubstantially apart, and a valve member having ports therein adapted toregister with the ports in said bloclr.

17. A device of the kind described comprising a casing, a pair ofcylinders therein adapted to rotate about a common axis, iearings forthe outer end of the cylinders carried by the casing, a valve blockbetween the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto,

missie norte therein substantially 900 apart, antL a valve ine-ir rhaving ports therein adapted to re ster with the ports ii aid bloei;Tthe i borts in said ualve member h ing all lor @er `he valve blocktrier-eli;Y

ters. V'

. in engine ot the dass d( nrisino a -,air olf axially aligne cylinder.

than the distance b rotatable abou their lon e il wis, eh or said @blindrs closed a piston in enel i i ,Y earth end and a cyl nder rotatingtherewith and oscillatable therein.

20, Vein engine of the class described coinprising a rotatable cylinder,a piston moin able therein, a valve member seoured to ar d rotating withthe cylinder haring ports therein, a second valve member having; inletand exhaust Connections thereto and having ports adapted to registerwith the dist ports, and means for changing the effective length ot theports in the second member.

2l. ein engine ot the Class described comprising a rotatabie valvemember having ports therein, valve member haring inlet and exhaustconnections thereto and having ports adapted to register With the lirst1ports, means `tor simultaneonsljT chang ng the effective length ot theports in the second member.

2Q. An engine ot the class described comprising a pair of cylindersaligned With one another and rotatable about their longitudinal axes` avalve block rigidly7 connected between said cylinders and rotatabletherewith, a valve casing therefor, and bearings 'for rigidly supportingthe outer ends oit the cylinders for rotation thereoirx a unit.

23. An engine oit the class described comprising a pair of cylindersaligned with one another and rotatable about their longitudinal axes,and bearings :tor rigidlg7 sup porting the outer ends ot the cylindersAfor rotation thereol" as a unit.

24. An engine ot the class described eeniprising a 'pair of cylindersone at each end and longitudinalljfv aligned, said Cylinders rotat-ableas a unit about their longitudinal axis., valve mechanism interposedbetween seid cylinders controlling the inlet and outlet thereof, and anaxial bearing provided tor said cylinders at each end thereof.

25. An engine of the class described com ii -i 1e lilo/ii :02's ha adr land limoni I and ralre wenn? ila-rotor nunmal hy said erlinile: haring api'ton nk bloeit Ecm said :ind outily mouw notion ,1 in the `he area ebloeit ior s id ai' oVlg the el; described a cyli i rastre about itsrloagi airis.. a van* z i cylinder, auher therefor not rota hl etheretherethroua l ai the Valve lilo( i, a

res lilable Vfluid inlet eonneeiion on said ralre member, a snrlaeethereof suhjert to the pressure ot the fluid tendait: lo hohl the Valvemember Sterling; on the valve bleek and oit greater area than theron'iponeat litt area et the ralre member passages tendine; to litt'..iber troni the bloeit.

Y 1g a` rotin` ire cylinder, a ralve hlm-h retetahle thermr o. :1n-:lharing ports lairriirn a Valve easiw" airing inlet and exhausteniiections hereto and ports adapted lo regis and b ter with said portsin said 'valve hlowlr.. ineens "or ehanui n' the eileetwe length ot theintare ports.

iin engine oit t ie ei: se :l isaerilad coinprisi rotative cylind valvebloeit h larme; ports 'o rigidlj, assoeia'ti ther-eri Y therein, a Valvei havi in; inlet and exhaust conne tiene thereto in whit-h said valvelileelfi adapted to rotate, a lifted aiuniient or the easing hearingagainst one 'side oi the lflot'l" 1 red member he- .meen the opposite meeasing adapte( lo new .i ont La, axis et the hh l o wary t t L i theports ermee in the easing herveen the end oit' said ineniher a 1d saidalnitinent.

iin engine ot the class described eoa1- prising a rotative cylinder, avalve hloel; rigidly associated therewith having ports therein, a valvemember having inlet and exhaust connections thereto relative to whichsaid Valve .Jloelr is adapted to rotate, a lined abutment on theineniber baring he ellcctive length ol against one side of the block, amovable means between the opposite side of the block and the memberadapted to move about the axis of the block to vary the eective lengthof the ports in the member between the end of said movable means andsaid abutment, and means for moving said means to allow proper cutoffand unrestricted exhaust in both positions of said connections.

3l. An engine of the class described comprising a pair of cylinderslongitudinally aligned and adapted to rotate about a common longitudinalaxis, a piston in each cylinder rotating therewith and oscillatabletherein, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connectedthereto, a pair of ports for each cylinder in said valve block, saidports of a pair substantially 180 degrees apart, and a valve casinghaving ports therein adapted to register with the ports in said blockduring rotation thereof.

32. An engine of the class described comprising a rotatable cylinderadapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis, a piston movable therein,and a valve block associated with said cylinder for rotation therewithand having ports therein controlling the inlet and outlet from saidcylinder, with said ports disposed substantially 180 degrees apart, anda relatively stationary valve member having ports therein adapted toregister with the ports in said block at predetermined, intervals duringrotation thereof.

33. In an engine of the class described a valve block, a valve casingtherefor, ports in said casing and block adapted to register with oneanother during rotation of the valve block in the casing, and ayieldable connection to said valve casing of greater area than the areaof the ports therein whereby the valve casing is held tightly againstthe valve block by the pressure of the fluid being admitted.

34. In an engine of the class described comprising a frame, a revolvingengine, a valve block with ports therein revolving with said engine, astationary valve member with ports adapted to register with ports in thevalve block, yieldable connections between the stationary valve membersand the frame so arranged that the fluid pressure keeps the valvebalanced and seated.

85. In an engine of the class described a rotating cylinder, a pistonrotating therewith, and oscillating about a transverse diameter of thecylinder substantially balanced on its axis of oscillation.

36. In an engine of the class described a cylinder rotative about itslongitudinal axis, a valve block having passages therethroughcommunicating into said cylinder, and said passages of varying diameterincreasing in size' toward the point of communication with the cylinder.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON.

Witnesses:

LEROY D. KILEY, CHARLES W. HILLS, J r.

